Category: Opinion
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Candid Candidate: Truthful new talk with an Ozark mayor hopeful
OZARK, MO— He was getting out of his shiny red Dodge Ram pickup truck at the Mud House on CC and 65. Dressed in blue jeans, boots, and Carhart jacket. “Hey, Cousin Eddie!” I called out. He’s a country boy from Kentucky, and I’d heard that his friends call him that. “Johnny Rooster? Is that… Read more
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Bob Dylan 2025 live: a most unique musical event
SPRINGFIELD, MO —My wife and I got tickets to see music legend Bob Dylan in concert March 28, 2025 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Bob Dylan is 83 and began his music career in 1961. He’s written more than 6,000 songs and recorded 38 albums. He’s a legend, a mystical,… Read more
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People don’t like the Christian County Trumpet
Many readers enjoy the candid feel of the articles I write; however, some don’t. They think I’m not polite enough to elected officials. Well, public officials are held to a higher standard than the rest of us. I’m a journalist with a degree in journalism; I worked for 4 different newspapers full time and a… Read more
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Ozark Mayor April 8 election predictions as of now
OZARK, MO — April 8 is municipal election day. Most voters don’t care enough to vote in those (mayor, alderman, school board races). It’s those local elections, however, that matter most, because they directly affect our community’s leadership locally. In Ozark, the incumbent Mayor Don Currence is facing the same two board of aldermen challengers… Read more
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Ozark School bully situation blows up on social media
OZARK, MO — A recent post on Ozark Mo Community Chitchat Facebook page blew up with comments. The anonymous post about an Ozark Junior High girl being bullied by another student brought a barrage of responses in a thread that swelled up like Grape nuts in milk! Some decried the school for not holding bullies… Read more
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Truth now: Who is the man behind the curtain?
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MO — My name is Johnny Rooster. I publish a free news and entertainment blog. It’s opinion based, but anyone living in Christian County, Missouri is welcome to submit a guest article for publication. The following article, printed several years ago, is available for you to discover the intent and who I am.… Read more
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Cronyism is a form of corruption
GUEST EDITORIAL By definition, CRONYISM is a form of corruption where an individual with influence provides preferential treatment, appointments, or advantages to friends, associates, or loyal supporters, regardless of their qualifications or merit. It is often motivated by political gain. This practice can undermine fairness, efficiency, and integrity within organizations, often undermining ethical guidelines.” Ozark’s… Read more
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Truth now: Establishment vs. Whistleblowers
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MO — Two groups exist in local politics. The Establishment is the standard higher class, powerful people with influence and good connections. Whistleblowers watch the establishment and cry “foul” when tax dollars are misused, rights are infringed, or the public is misled. Whistleblowers are often outsiders, not part of civic clubs or Chambers… Read more
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Shhhh… Ozark school board candidate they don’t want you to see
OZARK, MO — Shhh. Hush, now! He’s supposed to be invisible. The guy running for Ozark R-6 School Board against the two women the establishment wants. It’s tough being the “odd man out” in a social clique sanctioned by the Missouri School Board Association and National Education Association. When big tax union cronies don’t like… Read more
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Truth now: My parents’ dog has a dangerous habit
OLDFIELD, MO — A dog (along with a band of cats) lives in my parents’ rural house down a rural county dead-end road just past mine. Thor is named after the “god of thunder”, but Thor is, well, scared of thunder. He’s almost scared of me, though we are well acquainted. Thor lowers his head… Read more
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Why my gift of encouragement now means more than ever
OLDFIELD, MO — If you know anything about spiritual gifts, they are listed in the Bible. Romans chapter 12 verse 8 lists the gift of “encouragement.” As a Christ follower, I am called to a life mission of encouraging others. All believers have various gifts, but I know mine is the gift of encouragement. An… Read more
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Why Ozark Mo Community Chitchat is now important
OZARK, MO— The Ozark community is blessed to have the Ozark Mo Community Chitchat Facebook page! With more than 30,000 members, the page is a terrific source of information, gossip, road conditions, etc. People tied to the Ozark community have a thriving source of input here. Check it out, if you haven’t already! Sometimes, as… Read more
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Review: Possibly the worst movie in recent years…
You were warned in the headline. This article is not political, or a commentary on current events. It’s nothing more than entertainment. If you don’t like salty, snarky, jaded movie reviews, move on. For the rest of you weirdos, here goes: I can’t believe I recommended this movie to my wife! I watched a good… Read more
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Truth now: Ozark School Board Paranoia? Part 2
GUEST COLUMN Click here for part 1 of this article. How this plays out in the Ozark R-VI School Board When a paranoid school board wanted to censure one of its members for daring to talk to the public a year or so ago, the attorney drafted a letter of reprimand for all of the… Read more
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Having the law in your pocket Part 1
GUEST EDITORIAL Have you ever considered what it would be like to have your own personal genie . . . especially if he wasn’t limited to just three wishes? This is not just a fantasy for young children. Grown adults can have a real-life version of this. Or at least certain adults in key positions… Read more
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Truth now: Who will be the next mayor of Ozark?
OZARK, MO — Three men ran for Ozark mayor two years ago. Those same three are running again. Who are they, and who will be the next mayor of Ozark? Click here for more. Current Mayor Don Currence Don Currence won the mayorship two years ago. Now, he’s running for re-election. “Look at what I’ve… Read more
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New Idea: Offer free athletic options for Ozark now
OZARK, MO — James Russell of Ozark has a vision for his hometown. Free athletic options for the public. “Why pay for memberships when you could offer free access?” Russell says of his idea to bring free basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other athletic options to Ozark. Russell, a former coach of professional and youth athletes… Read more
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Truth now: How a good man can do harm
GUEST EDITOTRIAL (SUMMARIZED FROM ORIGINAL) Mark Jenkins joined the school board three years ago, determined to improve the behavior of a board clearly out of control. He now presides over a board that remains woefully off-course. Jenkins presumes his noble intentions insulate him from error. They don’t. Click here for background when Jenkins was a… Read more
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Truth now: Ozark Mayor candidate campaign manager stirs it up!
OZARK, MO — Things can get heated up at local hot spots. On Saturday, February 1, 2025, the aroma of coffee, bacon, eggs and pancakes fills the air. Conversations burst forth at certain tables. Others quietly await breakfast at Sands Cafe. A tall, gray-stubbly faced man with deep set eyes, in cowboy boots and hat,… Read more
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Truth now: The answer is in the question …
GUEST EDITORIAL Following Matt Growcock’s appointment to the Ozark R-6 School Board, Christian County Trumpet Publisher Johnny Rooster confronted him on camera and asked, “Did Mark Jenkins ask you personally to be on the board, to apply?” Mr. Growcock responded “No.” (FYI, Mark Jenkins and Matt Growcock are close buddies.) It is hardly plausible that… Read more